Former England head coach Eddie Jones praised his old side as “very good” as they tore his Japan apart 78-15 on Saturday, but warned the All Blacks will be “violent” against them next week.
Following South Africa’s defeat to France in Paris on Friday, victory for New Zealand against Wales in Cardiff would have seen them claim World Rugby’s No 1 ranking, and take charge of the Nations Championship southern hemisphere table.
Instead, the All Blacks suffered their first defeat to Wales since 1953 in a shock 35-28 loss up against an immense Welsh defensive effort, and next play England at Twickenham next Saturday.
“England were impressive against Australia, they beat them quite easily,” Jones said at his post-match press conference.
“They played powerfully, they played direct, and when they had the ability to shift the ball, they moved the ball accurately and quickly to space. We saw that again today.
“Well, they’re (New Zealand) violent after a defeat.
“They’re usually violent, very physical. They’ll be massively disappointed with that performance (in Cardiff) today.
“New Zealand next week, they’ll be back to the old New Zealand. They’ll be hard and tough, and physical around the breakdown.
Will Joseph scored five tries on his first England appearance since 2022 as the hosts destroyed Japan at Twickenham
“I thought England were very good. It kills me that Will Joseph – I gave him his first cap – scores five tries against me! That’s not being very loyal, is it?
“He’s a great kid, mate. He always was going to be a good player.
“I have to take full responsibility for our (Japan) performance. Clearly we weren’t good enough today.
“We thought we had a good preparation for the game, but obviously it wasn’t good. Without making any excuses, getting the red card early in the game put us on the back foot, and we really never recovered from that, which good teams are able to do.
“We’re not good enough in being able to recover from disappointments. That’s clearly the case.”
England got over for some 13 tries in victory over Japan, leaving 16 points behind in missed conversions
Borthwick: Joseph took his opportunities well – ‘There’s thinking to do around selection’
Joseph – who England head coach Steve Borthwick failed to select since taking the role in 2023 until Saturday – was the main topic during the home side’s press conference.
While Borthwick wasn’t effusive in his praise of the wing, he did admit he now had some extra thinking to do around selection ahead of facing the All Blacks.
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Steve Borthwick and Eddie Jones were full of praise for Will Joseph after he scored a record-equalling five tries in England’s thumping win over Japan in the Nations Championship
“He took those opportunities really, really well,” Borthwick said.
“Talking about the point of difference he has in his carry – we wanted the ball in his hands as much as possible, and that’s exactly what happened.
“It was off the back of all the players, everybody doing their jobs in the middle of the pitch, and that creates those opportunities on the edges.
“His pace, acceleration and footwork is a real asset. And part of today, as I said before the game, was that we want to build a squad, not a team.
Steve Borthwick wasn’t hugely effusive in his praise of Joseph, but admitted there is now thinking to do around team selection
“Now there’s some people who really put their hand up with quality performances, and it means that competition for players, the depth in the squad, and the level of experience has taken another step forward.
“There’s some thinking to do around selection ahead of next week, and I’m still waiting for the medical report, which hopefully all the players come through pretty well tonight.
“I’ll get that full medical report, and then I’ll make the call for selection when Test week starts tomorrow night.”
What’s next?
For England, they next face New Zealand in their third Nations Championship Test of the autumn at Allianz Stadium Twickenham on Saturday, November 21 (2.10pm kick-off).
Japan travel to face Scotland at Murrayfield in Edinburgh for their next Test, also on Saturday November 21 (2.10pm kick-off).